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Welcome to our Big News section for all the latest news concerning Military Disability.

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Sunday, July 6, 2014

The Official Bill of Rights for Veterans who use Prosthetic or Orthotic Devices

We’ve all heard the horror stories of wounded warriors
returning home and receiving less than adequate and/or delayed care. Some of
the disabled American veterans who need the fastest and highest quality of care
are ones, like amputees, who require the use of prosthetic or orthotic devices
because of an injury attained while serving our country.

If you require the use of a prosthetic or orthotic device, do
you know what your rights are as far as a timetable for receiving care and what
type(s) of care you are entitled to? Do you know what type(s) of Orthotic and Prosthetic
(O&P) care you should be receiving?

You definitely have rights, but may not know it.

To fix this lack of education, a bill has been introduced in
the House that would make sure that all veterans are aware of their exact
rights for receiving orthotic and prosthetic care. This bill, currently before
the House Subcommittee on Health Affairs, would officially form the “Injured
and Amputee Bill of Rights”, and require the VA to post it in a prominent place
in all VA facilities.

All of the rights included in this Bill of Rights are
already given to all veterans who use orthotic or prosthetic devices, so the rights
themselves are nothing new. Unfortunately, however, all too many veterans do
not properly receive everything they are entitled to. The hope for this bill is
that greater education about these rights will ensure that all veterans who
qualify will receive them.

The Bill of Rights is as follows:

Access to the best orthotic and prosthetic care
available to meet your specific needs. This means the most appropriate
technology and/or best-qualified providers.

The right to have your health care seamlessly
transitioned from the DoD to the VA when leaving the military.

The ability to choose your orthotic or
prosthetic care provider, whether at a VA or private facility.

The option to receive “consistent and portable”
care at any VA facility across the country.

Access to timely orthotic and prosthetic care,
including fast authorizations.

The right to a second opinion about your
treatment.

The right to have a spare orthotic or prosthetic
device.

The right “to be treated with respect and
dignity and have an optimal quality of life.”

The right to receive help with an honorable transition
to civilian life.This means access to
housing assistance, vocational rehabilitation, and jobs programs.

As we said, the bill that will officially form this Bill of
Rights is still in Congress. However, if you require the use of orthotic or
prosthetic devices, you already have these rights. You don’t need to wait for this
bill to pass to stand up for yourself and make sure that you get the care you
are entitled to.

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About Me

As a retired Air Force Colonel and physician, I am a Military Disability and VA Disability specialist. As a physician, I have specialties in preventive medicine, occupational medicine, and healthcare administration. While on active duty, I had direct responsibility over preventive medicine for all military members in deployed environments and contingency operations. Since retiring, I have worked as a contractor for the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR), reviewing military disability cases, and for the VA, performing C&P exams.